the illilterate computer
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Posted by P. Nandakumar Warrier Sat, Apr 4th 2009, 11:26 :: English |
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clock-like precision in her delivery.. none ever missed, no one kept waiting
the delivery 'van': the best of its kind, a bicycle with immense cans on all sides
on a rainy day whens roads flood she comes by foot sari tied up, can in hand
not young, not old she's a maid for all seasons, the perfect milkmaid
no credit given, asked, payment accepted only on the first of the month
the monthly bill: not a given sum, not simple arithmetic, perplexing variations
additions, cancellations, based on visitors, health, volumes change day by day
often, more than for babies or coffee or tea, sweetmeat preparation calls the tune
come payment day male and female heads of homes produce their notebooks
wary looks, arguments galore, attempts to cut costs - (almost) by cheating the milkmaid!
but all to no avail, for her head is made, perfect, famous, for churning figures
no calculator needed; she multiplies, divides, stores, accesses, provides split-second answers
no way to protest, retaliate, she scotches these promptly, figures at fingertips
but when asked for a written receipt, a tinge of sadness in her bright eyes
for this walking, talking, living, laughing, cycling computer is totally illiterate
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